COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT IN NURSING AND MEDICAL STUDENTS FOR BMI AND NUTRITION AS A POTENTIAL FACTOR OF MENSTRUAL DISORDER

Abstract

Background: Menstruation represents a normal physiological event in life of females, however, at times associated pain 
and abnormalities can adversely affect the daily routine and can be stressful for the affected females warranting its further 
exploration. 
Aim: The present study was aimed to comparatively assess the nursing and medical students for BMI and nutrition as a 
potential factor of menstrual disorder. 
Methods: The present study assessed 376 female undergraduate students from nursing and medical background of the 
Institute. All the females were given a preformed structured proforma having various questions on a questionnaire that 
was used to gather data which was further assessed to attain the results. 
Results: The mean age of menarche for medical students was significantly higher compared to nursing students from the 
study was comparable with p-value of <0.05. The commonly seen menstrual anomalies were premenstrual syndrome, 
dysmenorrhea, and menstrual irregularities as seen in 70%, 71%, and 15% study subjects respectively. For the correlation 
of menstrual anomalies to the lifestyle, there was no significant association seen. The most common cause for absent from 
college in both medical and nursing student was fear of unexpected heavy bleeding and dysmenorrhea. 
Conclusion: The present study concludes that despite being from the medical background with comprehensive knowledge 
about menstruation physiology, nursing and medical student have few associated myths concerning menstruation that are 
carried with society. Hence, there is a need for programs aimed at public awareness in medical students that will help with 
better understanding and confidence development along with social awareness in females from the medical background.